Health Challenges Part Deux

I fired my health coach.  I just couldn't get past the fact that she was charging me one hundred dollars per visit and told me if we had difficulty scheduling that she would have to do teleconferences with me.  I just couldn't pay that much to talk to my computer. 

She had great knowledge of nutrition and fitness; but she also expected me to follow along blindly which is not me. So I stopped. 

My best friend (who lives several states away from me) and I decided to do a nightly 15 minute texting session where we could share our day and work through our issues together.  Since she is one of the smartest people I know and I trust her so completely, it feels good to have a safe place to share.  We are reading the book, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, and I'm loving the discussion.

I'm also going to start taking a yoga class at least once a week and maybe a bi-monthly massage to be kind to my body.  I can do that for a lot less than the coaching and feel it will be more effective.

I recently read a few books that have really altered my thinking about food.  The first is the Joel Furhman book and the second is the Alicia Silverstone book about being KIND.  I'll share both the titles in a moment.  Both books affected me in different ways but they called for the same actions.  To let go of meat and dairy.  I have been trying to do this now for a few weeks. 

At first, I began letting go of milk and then beef.  But the yogurt I love and chicken and fish were much harder for me.  What will I do about my beloved sushi?  Am I really going to let go of eel - my all time favorite?  Ugghh.

Both of these authors were able to share enough research to call for a plant based diet.  The harmful effects of meat and dairy to our bodies and our planet have struck me hard.  I'm willing to give it a go and to see if letting it go effects my body when I do my next blood work. 

I'm also trying to listen to my body and what it needs and what I know I need to do and not do.  While I know weight watchers works for many people and journaling for others - I'm not wanting to spend my life that focused on food.   I can't let my mind obsess over food and that's what those types of diets do for me.  They make me think about everything I eat as a number instead of what that food should be doing for me, which is to satisfy and nurture me.  It feels somewhat rebellious to say - you know - I think I'm finally ready to listen to what my body needs.

That's all for today, I'm headed off to the kitchen to satisfy my body and soul with a nice salad, whole grain thin bagel with coconut butter and a sliced peach on top.  Tell me that doesn't sound good!

Bells          

Kale Chips

My life coach has suggested kale chips as a way of getting my greens and giving me something to nosh on at night.  I didn't think I was going to enjoy them but I did.

Wash and dry your pieces of kale - cover in olive oil.  Sprinkle salt and pepper or some other preferred spice.  Cut off long hard stems and cut kale pieces into more bite size shapes.  Bake for about 5 minutes until it begins to get crisp.  Turn over and bake for another 5 minutes in your 350 degree oven.  They were delicious - crisp and filling. 

Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods out there.  What a great way to get your greens.

Enjoy -

Bells

Pesto and Little Friends

We decided to have pasta last night which is something I have been trying to limit. The girls had a friend over who is a vegetarian and I wanted to make sure dinner was edible for her.  I served a salad to everyone first while I was finishing up dinner.  It was more of a casual meal and we ate in the kitchen.  The kids gobbled up their salads as they were hungry from the swimming they had done.  I've also learned if you want them to eat their salads - don't serve them dinner until the salads are gone.  It's what they do in restaurants and when they are hungry - they will eat it.

Next came the pasta and chicken (tofu) nuggets.  The pasta was a tri-colored vegie based pasta allowing me to sneak in a few more veggies there.  I offered two sauces, thinking the girls might not enjoy the pesto.  A garlic and herb from a jar and then my homemade pesto.

For the pesto,  I headed out to the deck to my yummy pot of basil.  For some reason, I have no problem growing basil.  It's true - I kill everything else but basil grows like weeds for me.  It must thrive on neglect.  After snipping several stems, I headed back in to wash, and pulverize my bounty.

The reason I love pesto is that you can make it different each time.  I never really have a plan or follow a recipe but rather follow a simple guide.   I know I will add quite a bit of basil and I always throw nuts in to help my basil chop easier.  My $5.00 food processor requires something to push down the basil which is fine as it allows me to chop my nuts at the same time. 

I used walnuts last night but am just as happy with pine nuts, almonds,, cashews - you name it.  They all add different flavor and bring different textures and even smells to the dish.  After murdering the nuts and basil, I add quite a bit of lemon juice, some parmesan cheese and olive oil. Mix it all up - throw in some spices and it's done. 

Pesto is personal.  It defines my mood at the moment I'm cooking.  I never make it the same twice and yet it is always delicious.  I rely on my senses as I cook to know when food is finished and ready to be enjoyed by others but I know not everyone is comfortable with that process.  Therefore, here is a very rough recipe for my pesto.

@ 4 cups of basil
@ 1 to 2 cups of nuts (any variety - traditional nut used is pine nut)
@ 1 1/2 cups of parmesan cheese
@ 1 cup of lemon juice
@ 1 1/2 cups olive oil
@ 1/8 cup salt (it takes out any bitterness in the basil, however, I am limiting my salt and used Mrs. Dash last night and it was delicious)

Chop basil and nuts together until very fine.  Add the remainder of ingredients and add small amounts to pasta, to stuff cherry tomatoes, put on bruschetta, or any number of uses.  You can freeze whatever you don't use so don't let your basil go to waste.

add or substitue anything you can dream of but here are a few of my more common ones.

* carrots ran through the food processor ( makes it more colorful and a little sweeter)
* broccoli or really any vegetable
* variety of nuts - while pine nuts are the traditional and extremely buttery and delicious - I also    love cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and the ever yummy macadamian
* lime juice
* feel free to use any cheese - I have frequently replaced parm with feta, blue, asiago etc.  It usually helps if it is a crumbly cheese but it doesn't have to be..
* jump in and change up your oil too - if you don't have olive, feel free to use canola but if you really want to mix it up try walnut or any other nut oil - they have a lower smoke point so are not good for cooking but excellent for pesto and are healthier and offer unique flavors.
* spices - are required in this dish to take out the bitterness you receive when cutting open fresh greenshowever - feel free to experimentand play.  I love spices that come already combined for me like jamaican, creole etc.  It takes the thinking out and provides a nice blend.  And while I use to laugh at Mrs. Dash - she and I are forming a respectable friendship as I'm attempting to limit my salt intake.

Warning:  Pesto makes you poop!  So don't eat huge amounts at a dinner party.  I'm not saying I did this once but...

Health Issues

I am needing to create a new blog to document my thoughts about some new teaching ideas and I started thinking about this blog.  I haven't done a very good job keeping up with this one but may once again give it a go.  I can't believe two years have gone by since I posted here but it has and so I begin again.

You might suggest that I just toss this one aside and start anew but kind of like the bodies we live in - it's not that easy.  I have recently been told that I need to get serious about taking care of my body.  My blood sugar is high, my kidneys are having their troubles, blood pressure is off the chart and good cholesterol is down.  Yep! 

I'm having to revisit my relationship with food, the frequency to which I move my body and basically my whole lifestyle.  I begin this next Wednesday with a lifestyle coach.  I'm excited!  I will be meeting with her for the next 6 months.  I'm hoping to revamp some aspects of my life, my habits and really learn to love and take care of my body. 

This may be more than you are wanting to know but I feel it's important to put this in writing to completely own it and commit to this overhaul of me, myself and I.  But don't worry.  I'm going to still focus on yummy, and now healthy food as well as all of the wonderful books I love reading.

Healthily,

Bells

Veggie Muffins

I haven't written in awhile because school has begun which affects all of us in the house. Mom goes back to work as do the girls and daddy preps for afternoon homework helper. It's also the time of year we start making muffins again.

This is a staple in our house to take to school for snack time. It makes me feel good because of the volume of veggies that go inside each little muffin. The girls love them, I love them and so does daddy. They are especially yummy the moment they come out of the oven but honestly, they are delicious and moist when cold too.

I usually use a pre-made muffin mix like fiber one mixes because they are easy, and I love the extra fiber that's hidden so well among delicious flavors like banana nut, blueberry and apple spice. I then take approximately 3 cups of shredded veggies (carrots, zucchinni or both), and throw it into the mix. Continue to follow baking directions. It might take longer for the muffins to finish cooking and you will need to ignore the desire to up the temperature because you don't want to burn the bottoms of the delectable treats. I usually leave them in the pan to solidify a little before removing them to a cooling rack.

They are so moist and the kids know that the vegetables are in there and they believe, because I have told them so, that it's the veggies that make them so moist and wonderful so they don't shy away from eating them.

A wonderful, portable healthy snack that is fun for all to make together in the kitchen. I firmly believe kids are more likely to eat it if they have had a hand in making it.

Enjoy!

Bells

Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem

I bought this book several months ago but just read it today.  Written by Jack Prelutsky, this cross between an autobiography, poetry how to, and funny, family  anectdotals, is a rare find.  Mr. Prelutsky opens his childhood memory box and allows his readers to understand where his inspiration for stories originate.  Not only does he share what gave him the idea for each of the poems in this book, he gives a craft lesson as well.  He somehow manages to do all of this great teaching within a simple framework that will have students and adults laughing until they cry.  Interspersed throughout the book, he slides in statements about revision and never giving up on a piece of writing.  Mr. Prelutsky repeatedly shares the importance of a writers notebook and makes writing seem very much like a guy thing to do.  Overall, a great book that I highly recommend.

Grade Recommendation:  Some of the vocabulary can be tough at times but if a student has strategies for handling unfamiliar words, then this charming book would do well with students from second grade through eighth grade.  It's really ageless since it is an adult making reference to (and making fun of)  his childhood, students of most ages will be able to connect and identify with the stories.

Read Aloud Discussion:  A perfect read aloud while introducing poetry or writers workshop.  Definitely inspiring students to write while entertaining them at the same time.

Mentor Text:  As mentioned in the read aloud comments, this book is a perfect introduction to both poetry and writer's workshop.  I plan to use it this next year while introducing writer's workshop.  We may revisit it again during our poetry unit.

Under the Dome

While I appreciate the writing of Stephen King, I have to say I'm not usually a fan of his genre choice.  I can't handle i!  He writes so darn well that it.... scares me.  I had read a review of this book and something about it intrigued me so I gave it a try and it makes me wonder if I have changed or if he has.  His writing is still tremendous and the visuals he creates as well as the diaogue is spot on dynamic.  But it's the web of characters and his unique ability to hold a large story together that I find so fascinating.  I had to re-read the beginning a few times to grasp all of the characters that were being thrown at me but once I grasped who the central players were I let the others drift from my mind and was honestly surprised to revisit them later in the story.  I'm making it sound like it was a difficult read and it truly wasn't but I did have to pay attention to keep it all straight.

The premise of the story is that an large invisible dome drops down on a small town community and then we are given the opportunity to glimpse this community at work and how they react to such conditions.  It's a little Lord of the Flies meets Friday Night Lights.  We all support the team is a common mantra throughout the tale with a varried opinion of what that actually means.  Throw in some crooked politicians, a serial killer or two and you have a big book with a lot of characters that I couldn't put down.  My husband was reading this one at the same time as I was and it was a great couples book to discuss.  There was plenty of violence for him and unsuspecting romance for me.  Or, is that there was plenty of violence for me and some subtle romance for him?  Either way, we both loved it and would highly recommend this for a science fiction escape.

I wouldn't recommend this book for children, however high school students would love it if they could stick with it for the duration of this lengthy story.